All posts in “Features”

Porsche Macan Turbo EV & Taycan 4S Cross Turismo Review: EV Life is Better Than Ever

Living with an EV isn’t what it used to be. And after a week in Porsche’s latest electric offerings—the new Macan Turbo EV and second-generation Taycan 4S Cross Turismo—I’m more optimistic than ever that the tipping point has arrived. No hypermiling, no app-juggling charger hunts, just proper driving in proper cars. Both delivered on their promise of over 300 miles of range, even when driven as if they were combustion-engined. In fact, I barely thought about range at all.

Collected from Porsche GB with full batteries, both the Macan and Taycan showed range estimates of 300 miles. In reality, that number was remarkably accurate. My driving style didn’t change: air-con on full blast, cooled seats in the Macan, and every horsepower used as intended. I didn’t precondition the batteries or nurse them to chargers. I simply drove.

The Macan, finished in stunning Copper Ruby Metallic with massive wheels that looked spectacular but gave the ride a slightly brittle edge, felt every bit the Porsche SUV it claims to be. Control weights were perfect, the seating position spot-on. Despite its 2.6-tonne mass, the Macan Turbo EV moved with conviction, thanks to its 630bhp twin-motor setup and sophisticated chassis. On the road to Silverstone, I stopped at a Porsche dealership to charge, but spent more time taking photos than waiting for battery percentage to climb. Later, a 400kW supermarket charger delivered 32kWh in eight minutes, jumping from 15% to 51%, with the cabin cooling me in 35-degree heat, massage seats and all.

The Taycan 4S Cross Turismo offered a different flavour: a more dynamic seating position, less in-cabin tech frippery, and a marginally softer ride. It lacked cooled seats, which I sorely missed during London’s heatwave, but its drivetrain remained characteristically sharp. On my 50-mile daily commute, a five-minute top-up at a fast charger more than sufficed. Even without home charging in London, I never once experienced range anxiety or inconvenience.

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The Taycan featured Porsche Active Ride, a new suspension system that quietly transforms the experience behind the wheel. Using high-speed hydraulic actuators at each corner, the system actively manages body movement, keeping the Taycan astonishingly level and composed—even during hard cornering or over poor surfaces. It enhances comfort, sharpens dynamics and helps disguise the cars’ weight. It’s also available with the latest generation Panamera.

That’s the real revelation. These EVs finally offer the ease and confidence of ICE cars, thanks to battery and infrastructure advancements. The second-generation Taycan uses a new 105kWh battery with improved cell chemistry, and the Macan’s 800V PPE architecture allows it to charge from 10 to 80% in just 21 minutes under ideal conditions.

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But not everything is perfect. At over £100,000 as-tested, interior materials in both cars didn’t quite meet expectations. Some touchpoints felt plasticky and out of step with the badge on the bonnet. As with many EVs, both the Taycan and Macan face tough questions around depreciation and long-term desirability.

Still, there’s no mistaking the Porsche-ness. From the way they steer to the way they hunker down into corners, these are true products of Weissach. That the Macan, now in its second generation and 1 million units deep, has evolved into something so advanced yet still recognisable is impressive. With these cars, Porsche proves that the future can be electric with next to no compromise.

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July 31, 2025 / Comments Off on Porsche Macan Turbo EV & Taycan 4S Cross Turismo Review: EV Life is Better Than Ever
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Official: 2022 Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheel Base

Bentley is hoping to stretch its reach further into the realms of luxury with the 2022 Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheel Base. The Bentley Bentayga EWB is based on the second generation of Bentayga, extending the wheelbase and rear cabin space by an extra 180mm. The changes to the underfloor, side panels, door and roof were worked on by Bentley’s design team to ensure the sharp lines and proportions of the Bentayga remain elegant and stylish. The increased length results in the wheelbase of the car being stretched from 2995 to 3175mm brining the total length to 5322mm. All of the increase in in the rear door panel highlighting the focus in the creating an even more sumptuous rear cabin with an emphasis on comfort and wellness. This is reflected in the introduction of the world’s first auto climate and advanced postural adjustment rear seat.

The new cabin space allows for the new Bentley Airline Seat which Bentley claims to be the ‘most advanced seat ever fitted to a car, with 22-ways of adjustment’. Having attended to the preview of the car earlier this year, I can confirm that the rear seats in this configuration are sublime, with ample room and endless adjustability.

The front passenger seat can be pushed forward and a leather-trimmed footrest can be deployed whilst rear passenger seats sense the occupant’s temperature and determine whether to apply heat, ventilation or both simultaneously whilst the postural adjustment system automatically makes micro adjustments to the occupant’s seating position pressure points by measuring pressure across the seats surface: clever stuff! Elsewhere in the cabin, there is a more advanced stitching design, Bentley Diamond Illumination on the door sills and a total of 24 billion(!) trim combinations that can be chosen from. 

Bentley predicts that the EWB model will account for 45% of Bentayga sales, but for many the two Airline Seats in the rear may not be the most desirable set up. No problem, a standard 4+1 seating layout is offered with the two outer rear seats featuring 16 ways of adjustment, heating, ventilation and five massage programmes. 

Visually the 2022 Bentley Bentayga EWB can be spotted from its new ‘Vertical Vane Grille’ design, new 22 inch 10-spoke wheel, repositioned sunroof and, of course, that elongated rear door. 

Mechanically the car is identical to the V8 offering in the Bentayga range with the exception of the rear-wheel-steer system that is new to the EWB. It allows the turning radius to be reduced by up to 7% helping compensate for the additional length of the Extended Wheel Base.

Expect to see the 2022 Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheel Base on the road soon knowing that the occupants are enjoying levels of comfort never previously experience in a Bentley SUV.

May 10, 2022 / Comments Off on Official: 2022 Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheel Base
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Special Report: Lamborghini Supports Movember

This year Lamborghini partnered up with the Movember foundation to create awareness for men’s health. As part of this partnership Lamborghini owners all over the world met up for a one day drive to raise funds for this noble cause. We were there to attend the ‘bull run’ hosted by Lamborghini Munich.

About Movember

Movember is the leading charity changing the face of men’s health on a global scale, focusing on mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Movember generate the most fame by men around the world growing moustaches in the month of November.

Movember was created because men on average die much younger than women. This is in part due to more dangerous work conditions but also generally unhealthier lifestyles and lack of prevention checks play a key role. Movember raises funds to deliver innovative, breakthrough research and support programmes that enable men to live happier, healthier, and longer lives.

In addition to tackling key health issues faced by men, Movember is working to encourage men to stay healthy in all areas of their lives, with a focus on men staying socially connected and becoming more open to discussing their health and significant moments in their lives. The charity’s vision is to have an everlasting impact on the face of men’s health.

Lamborghini Huracan EVO RWD

Lamborghini was kind enough to land us a bright orange Huracan EVO RWD to join 15 local Lamborghini owners for a drive through the German state of Bavaria. This rear-wheel drive Italian bull has a 5.2 liter V10 packing 610hp and 560Nm of torque. Thanks to a weight of only 1,389 kg the Huracan EVO RWD sprints from 0-100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds. At 325 km/h the top speed is reached.

The cockpit is very driver oriented with all relevant controles either mounted on the steering wheel or directly in reach without the need to take your eyes of the road. To add to the sense of experience you have to flip a red cover up to expose the start button and fire up the engine. Once you do the heavy base tone of the V10 fills the cabin. In Strada mode the Huracan is pretty quiet but once you switch to the sport or track modes it will become impossible to have a phone call and the V10 completely immerses you with all the emotions it has to give.

The Movember Bull Run

On this early Saturday morning in November the cold air penetrates my clothes as I walk to the Lamborghini dealership in Munich. The Lamborghini flags outside wave in the light breeze. But the sky is blue and the sun is about to pop-up from behind the surrounding buildings. The parking lot is already filled with ‘Bulls’ – from ‘my’ Huracan EVO RWD to several Huracans, Aventadors and a brand new Huracan STO that will be the lead car for today’s drive.

After a mandatory Italian coffee and short briefing the pack of 15 raging bulls sets in motion. The first part of our journey leaves the Bavarian capital behind and sees us heading west on the autobahn. Keeping the pack together goes surprisingly well and the sight of Lamborghinis front and rear traveling together is one to remember.

We leave the autobahn at Landsberg am Lech and here the first bystanders ask what the deal is with the moustaches on the front bonnet of our cars. Time to do what we came here to do and explain November in a few words. With barely time for a thumbs up and a wave we continue. Leaving the main roads behind we enter the twisty roads in the foothills of the Alps. The trees are colored in the typical pallet of fall made even brighter by the low stance of the sun this time of the year.

In the shade of the forest the roads are still damp so I have to keep taming the bull and wait with unleashing its ferocious power a little longer. Lamborghini developed a special performance traction control system for the rear-wheel drive version of the Huracan EVO to make sure it gets the power down and the opportunity to try it came sooner than expected. Due to some road works the group had to turn around after which I lost connection with the group along with another Huracan.

Clearly we missed a turn somewhere as chatter on the walky-talky disappeared. Luckily I knew the next way point so just continued down this beautiful twisty road with clear visibility and above all a dry surface. As I sprint from turn to turn and make my way through the gears I’m firmly pressed in the excellent seats. The solid click of the flappy paddles is followed by a loud scream of the V10 on every downshift. What a joy!

Soon we are reunited with the group and after a few photos continue our journey to lunch. Overlooking the Staffelsee with the German and Austrian Alps as backdrop we talk about Movember and the cause. Just like GTspirit readership the majority of the Lamborghini audience is male and all know someone who suffered from typical men’s health issues. But unlike female initiatives such as Pink Ribbon, the breast cancer awareness campaign, it is much less talked about among men.

After lunch we return to Munich once again in convoy. With the sun disappearing behind the trees the Aventador in front of me is showing flames from its exhaust regularly. It is an unusual sight on the countryside – a convoy of 15 Lamborghinis passing by. The responses from the few bystanders are mixed, some cheer and show thumbs up, others can’t help themselves but release some negative comments just at the sight of these exotic cars. Sad but true that the supercar is becoming more and more polarising.

Every year we make a Christmas donation at GTspirit and this year we have chosen Movember as our charity of choice. It was an honor to be part of over 1,500 Lamborghini drivers worldwide taking part in Bullruns organised by their local dealerships to raise awareness for Movember. For more information about Movember or to make a donation please visit movember.com.

December 7, 2021 / Comments Off on Special Report: Lamborghini Supports Movember
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The Essential Cocktail Glasses You Should Own

When it comes to cocktails, it doesn’t matter if you’re dirty three olives, un-salted rim, bourbon up or on the rocks–your cocktail of choice deserves one of the many dedicated pieces of glassware that have…

The post The Essential Cocktail Glasses You Should Own first appeared on Cool Material.

November 19, 2021 / Comments Off on The Essential Cocktail Glasses You Should Own
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SEMA 2021: See the Craziest Cars on Show this Year

SEMA Show 2021 is here and we have found some really interesting cars this year, there is a plethora of electric car conversions but we will focus on conventional tuning and custom car creations. Enjoy the collection we made so far, check back for more!

4. Divo Lady Bug


Bugatti Divo Lady Bug


The most expensive car at SEMA 2021. Lady Bug costs more than the $5.8 million start price of other Divos due to the unique paintwork which took almost 2 years to complete.

8. Chevy Beast

Chevrolet brought everything they had at SEMA Show this year, this here is the Chevy Beast – a heavily modified Silverado powered by the Chevrolet Performance LT4 supercharged crate engine with 650hp and can seat 4 people!

9. Tacoma Camper

Bringing back the 70s vibes with this custom built Tacozilla Tacoma Camper, comes straight from the Toyota Motorsport Garage and is based on a 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport pickup.

November 4, 2021 / Comments Off on SEMA 2021: See the Craziest Cars on Show this Year
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